The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has extended its protection for savers amid concerns that the pandemic has increased the likelihood of financial firms failing.

The fund currently protects deposits with UK banks, building societies and credit unions to the tune of £85,000 per person. However, there is additional protection for consumers who temporarily have high balances of up to £1m. Having such a large balance for a relatively short period of time could be unavoidable for reasons such as a house sale, divorce settlement, insurance payout or redundancy.

These temporary high balances are normally protected for six months and the FSCS would automatically pay compensation if the financial institution failed. From August 2020, the FSCS has extended its coverage to 12 months, with the scheme reverting to a six-month cover period from February 2021.

The FSCS has introduced the temporary extension due to consumers’ concerns that money could be on deposit for longer, due to a slowdown in the banking system and reduced access to banking services for many people.

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The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated.

It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this blog is based on our current understanding of taxation and can be subject to change in future.

It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK; please ask for details. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor.

The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated.

If you withdraw from an investment in the early years, you may not get back the full amount you invested. Changes in the rates of exchange may have an adverse effect on the value or price of an investment in sterling terms if it is denominated in a foreign currency. Taxation depends on individual circumstances as well as tax law and HMRC practice which can change.

The information contained within the blog is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

The purpose of the blog is to provide technical and general guidance and should not be interpreted as a personal recommendation or advice.